Oct. 17, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Four of the six members of the Kentucky women’s tennis squad moves on to the semifinals in Nashville, Tenn., during the June Stewart Invitational. The Kentucky crew also advances all three doubles pairs to the next round of competition.
The Wildcats dominated doubles action as Kentucky’s leading doubles No. 16 Carolina Escamilla and Christine Johnston defeated William and Mary’s Katarina Zoricic and Carmen Pop, 8-4. The UK duo will next serve opposite Southeastern Conference rival Vanderbilt’s Jackie Wu and Chelsea Preeg.
UK sophomores Megan Broderick and Lauren Meier matched up with members of the Tribe, Ragini Acharya and Katie Kargl, taking the win in a tight 9-7, victory. Broderick and Meier continue doubles action on Saturday against Indiana’s Myriam Sopel and Lindsey Stuckey.
The third pair of Wildcat doubles is freshmen Jennifer Stone and Caroline Lilley. The Kentucky newcomers allowed only one game from the Skyhawks’ Ernestine Koomhof and Martie Wahl to secure an 8-1, win. Stone and Lilley resume doubles play with Western Michigan’s Amanda Moccia and Jenny Nalepa.
Kentucky’s number one singles player, No. 55 Megan Broderick, played a clean match against William and Mary’s Klaudyna Kasztelaniel, tallying a 6-1, 6-0, score. The Wildcats’ Meier serves against the Tribe’s Acharya after seeing her earlier in the day during doubles.
UK’s No. 118 Johnston served opposite Lindsey Stuckey of Indiana during the first round of singles. Johnston pulled out a third set victory after a dropped first set, 6-3, to Stuckey. The Wildcat eventually overtook the Hoosier in the next two sets, 7-5,7-6(3). Johnston returns to singles action on Saturday against Vandy’s Heather Steinbauer.
Kentucky rookie Lilley found success on the courts while playing the Broncos’ Jenny Nalepa. Lilley won a quick first set, 6-1, and continued her win streak securing a 6-4, decision against Western Michigan. The Wildcat is set to meet the Hoosier’s Maria Guerreiro in the semifinals.
Wildcat freshman Stone fell to Myriam Sopel, a member of Indiana’s squad, in a three set match7-5, 3-6, 6-2. Stone will face Western Michigan’s Yumi Matsuto in the back draw. Senior Escamilla also suffered defeat in singles after a 6-4, 6-2, match up with the Commodores’ Wu. Escamilla will play Indiana’s Alba Berdala in the back draw during Saturday’s matches.
Competition will begin Saturday, Oct. 17, with doubles play starting at 9 a.m. at the Currey Tennis Center outside courts.
Follow the Wildcat women’s tennis team at www.ukathletics.com.
